Twitter Reactions: Bangladesh down New Zealand in a last-ball thriller to take a 2-0 lead

Bangladesh took a 2-0 lead against New Zealand with a narrow win of four runs in the second T20I at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The match went till the last ball and had more runs been scored, New Zealand would have got the match. They would now need to win all the last three games to win this series while Bangladesh needs just another win to seal the series. 

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first. It was a smart decision considering the slowness of the surface. New Zealand attacked with spinners early on and the Bangladesh openers were good enough to build a 59-run stand for the first wicket. Despite the stand being rather slow for modern standards, it helped Bangladesh lay a good foundation. Liton Das (33 runs from 29 balls) was the first wicket to fall. 

Mushfiqur Rahim was left shocked after being dismissed for a golden duck. Bangladesh lost their third wicket in the form of Mohammad Naim (39 runs from 39 balls). Rachin Ravindra, who made an impressive debut with the ball, continued his form, picking up the first three wickets of hosts. He ended with three wickets and gave only 22 runs from four overs. 

Tom Latham kept New Zealand in the game till the very last ball

Captain Mahmudullah played a very steady knock of 37 runs from 32 balls, which allowed the hosts to post a competitive total. He got some support from Shakib Al Hasan (12 runs) and Nurul Hasan (13 runs). Bangladesh ended on 141 for 6 in their 20 overs. Ajaz Patel, Cole McConchie, and Hamish Bennett also accounted for a wicket each. 

With runs on the board, Bangladesh started well with the ball early on getting both the openers inside the powerplay. Captain Tom Latham didn’t hang back like he did in the last match and decided to bat at no. 3 this time. Along with Will Young, he forged a partnership that helped New Zealand to find its way back into the run-chase. 

Once Young was dismissed scoring 22 runs, it was Latham who kept the visitors in the match. He kept finding boundaries every now and then, managing to keep Blackcaps in the hunt till the last ball. But in the end, it became too much for even him to keep up with the increasing required rate. He ended being unbeaten on 67 runs from 49 balls.  

For Bangladesh, Mahedi Hasan was fantastic with the ball, getting two wickets and shelling only 12 runs in his four overs. Shakib picked up 2 for 29 in his four overs while Nasum Ahmed also took one wicket. 

Here is how Twitter reacted to Bangladesh’s victory

New Zealand has lost another match, there should be no compromise on international cricket. #BANvNZ

— Chaudhary Ali Hamza (@iamalihamxa) September 3, 2021

We can assume Bangladesh won the first T20 against NZ with full of luck,

but hold on. They have won the second T20 as well…. #BANvNZ

— Hamza Haniffa (@ExcuzeMiii) September 3, 2021

When u need 6 off last ball…Batsman plays ground shot 🤦 #BANvNZ

— VenkyDhoni (@D11_Venkydhoni) September 3, 2021

Good fight by kiwis. 😳
#BANvNZ

— An Ordinary Individual? (@halfpsyched) September 3, 2021

Latham. What A Knock #BANvNZ

— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) September 3, 2021

So what you can't enter the stadium, we will book an entire terrace.#BANvNZ #BANvsNZ pic.twitter.com/I8hR5rtQQX

— Saikat Ghosh (@Yo_EliottHulse) September 3, 2021

Mustafizur Rahman defends 6 off the last delivery to help Bangladesh make two wins in two games! Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 4 runs in the 2nd T20I #BANvNZ

— Cric Trend (@crictrend_) September 3, 2021

Whatttttt a game it was. They played till the last ball. Keep the excitement for the last second too. Trust ne only NZ team can do this. Well done Bangladesh and well played NZ too #BANvNZ

— Israt 🇧🇩 (@Israt_suchona) September 3, 2021

Drama at the end, but still a great victory for Bangladesh. Another whitewash on the card for the tourists.#BANvNZ

— Varun (@Sunny82190) September 3, 2021

What a match 🔥
What a win @BCBtigers. Congratulations Bangladesh Tigers 🇧🇩 #BANvNZ

— AriF Adnan (@officialarif28) September 3, 2021

Most wickets in T20Is:

107 – Lasith Malinga
106 – Shakib Al Hasan
99 – Tim Southee
98 – Shahid Afridi
95 – Rashid Khan#BANvNZ

— Hridoy Sarker (@hridoys022903) September 3, 2021

Well played New Zealand 🙏🏻@Tomlatham2 you beauty.
Congratulations Bangladesh 🇧🇩😍#BANvNZ

— Anup Deb Ornob (@AnupSpeaketh) September 3, 2021

Bangladesh won by 4 runs and leads the series 2-0. And the Tigers climbs up to the 6th position in ICC T20 rankings

Bangladesh 🇧🇩 ⬆️ 6th position
Australia 🇦🇺 ⬇️ 7th position#BANvNZ #BANvsNZ #NZvBAN #INDvENG #Australia #T20 #Bangladesh https://t.co/dUZ17yKna6

— Chenul Wahalathanthri (@Imchenul) September 3, 2021

That was a good knock by Tom Latham but unfortunately NZ went just 4 runs short, congartulations 🇧🇩 #BANvNZ

— Furqan (@MFurqan72) September 3, 2021

Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 4 runs in the second T20 and take 2-0 lead in the five-match series – Bangladesh Tigers continues to dominate at home but a brilliant fight by captain Tom Latham with 67*(49). #BANvNZ

— Mr.Cricket (@MrCricketR) September 3, 2021